FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

QUARTERBACKS

Matthew Stafford, DET - Strained Hamstring

Lions’ QB Matthew Stafford left Sunday’s game against the Titans with a strained hamstring, but the injury is not considered serious and team officials believe he will be healthy enough to play in Week 4. Stafford, who apparently had been dealing with a hamstring problem last week, felt it a couple of times during the game and it finally tightened up while he tried to tackle a Titans’ defender following a defensive fumble recovery in the fourth quarter. The medical staff tried working on Stafford’s leg but he was unable to return to the field. As expected he was sore following the game and had trouble moving about the locker room and according to reports he was still feeling some discomfort on Monday morning. He’ll probably be limited in practice this week while he recovers, however there is a good chance that he will be cleared to play against the Vikings.

RUNNING BACKS

Reggie Bush, MIA - Undisclosed Knee Injury

Reggie Bush’s injured left knee is not as serious as Dolphins’ officials had originally feared and there is a chance that he could play in Week 4 against the Cardinals. Bush was hurt at the end of the second quarter when a Jets’ defender fell on his left leg during a carry. He immediately grabbed his knee and the medical staff rushed on to the field to check him out. Bush has a history of MCL sprains and meniscal tears in that knee and you could see them taking a little extra time testing out that ligament and checking for cartilage damage during the initial assessment. He was eventually helped up and he limped off the field on his own. According to reports he tried to make a return in the second half but his knee remained stiff and uncomfortable and he was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the game. Bush underwent an MRI on Monday morning and while the exact nature of the injury has not be made public it appears that he avoid serious injury. He does have some swelling within the joint and team officials believe he could play in their Week 4 game if the swelling goes down. We’ll keep you posted on his recovery.

Willis McGahee, DEN - Torn Ribcage Cartilage

RB Willis McGahee’s status for Week 4 is currently in question after tearing cartilage in his ribcage during the second half of Sunday‘s loss to the Texans. McGahee left the game midway through the third quarter and it appeared that the medical staff was taking a look at his neck while he was on the sideline. He was allowed back in the game but he left the field again after one carry and did not return. The team later said that he suffered some kind of rib injury and on Monday head coach John Fox told reporters that the injury involved cartilage and that he was considered day-to-day. He’ll definitely be limited in practice this week and if the medical staff can find an effective way to manage the pain then there is a chance that he could play in Week 4.

C.J. Spiller, BUF - AC Joint Sprain

Bills’ RB C.J. Spiller will miss at least one week after suffering a sprain to the acromioclavicular joint in his left shoulder during Sunday’s game against the Browns. The injury occurred in the first quarter when Spiller was tackled and his shoulder driven into the turf at the end of a reception. He appeared to be in a lot of pain and after staying down for a few moments he was helped off the field and eventually carted to the locker room. The team initially thought that he suffered a serious shoulder separation, however X-rays were negative and according to reports the MRI on Monday showed that there was limited damage to the AC joint and the clavicle remained in place. Head coach Chan Gailey has confirmed that the injury is not “as bad as originally thought” and he indicated that the team wanted to see how he responded to rest and treatment before making a decision on his availability for Week 4. His status is still very much in doubt so don’t be surprised if he ends up being ruled out.

Beanie Wells, ARI - Acute Turf Toe

Cardinals’ RB Beanie Wells, who left Sunday’s game against the Eagles with a toe injury, indicated on Monday that he was dealing with an acute turf toe problem and he status for Week 4 is in question. Wells left in the second quarter after jamming his big toe during a carry and while testing it out on the sideline he was unable to push off so he was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Wells admitted to feeling sore on Monday and there is concern that if the injury isn’t dealt with immediately that it could become a chronic problem. So expect the medical staff to take a very conservative approach which means he won’t see much of the field this week and he might end up being held out of their Week 4 game as a precaution.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Miles Austin, DAL - Bruised Ribs

Cowboys’ WR Miles Austin left Sunday’s game against the Bucs after taking a shot to the ribs in the fourth quarter. But X-rays in the locker room were negative and he was able to return to the field and finish the game. According to reports Austin was hurt at the end of a fantastic 49-yard reception and on the sideline he complained of chest soreness and additional discomfort when he breathed. So he was quickly taken back to the locker room for precautionary X-rays and he was allowed to return once it was clear that his ribs weren’t broken. He has been diagnosed with a bruise and he’ll likely be limited to non-contact drills in practice this week. But team officials believe he will be ready for their Week 4 game.

Kenny Britt, TEN - Sprained Ankle

Titans’ WR Kenny Britt admitted that his injured ankle was a little sore on Monday, but the good news is that the injury is considered minor and he should be able to play in Week 4. Britt was injured when a Lions’ defender fell on his leg late in the game and he missed several plays in overtime as a result. According to reports he was able to walk around on his own after the game and an MRI on Monday confirmed that the injury was just a mild sprain. Also encouraging is that Britt’s troublesome knees did not bother him during or immediately after the game so hopefully they will continue to be a non issue moving forward. His ankle will likely limit his participation in practice this week, but expect him to be active when the Titans face the Texans this upcoming weekend.

Austin Collie, IND - Ruptured Right Patella Tendon

Colts’ WR Austin Collie, who made his 2012 debut on Sunday after missing the first two games because of a concussion, will now miss the remainder of the season after completely tearing the patella tendon in his right knee. Collie was hurt in the third quarter and he couldn’t put any weight on his leg so he was helped off the field and carted to the locker room. An evaluation in the locker room indicated damage to the patella tendon and an MRI on Monday morning confirmed that it was ruptured. Collie is scheduled to have the tendon surgically reattached this week and if all goes well with the procedure and his recovery he could be ready in time for training camp next year.

Julian Edelman, NE - Undisclosed Hand Injury

Patriots’ WR Julian Edelman suffered an undisclosed injury to his hand during Sunday night’s game against the Ravens and his status for Week 4 remains unclear. Edelman was hurt on a touchdown catch in the second quarter and according to reports he was taken to the locker room for X-rays. He tried returning in the third quarter but he appeared to aggravate the injury and he was removed from the game for good. The exact nature and severity of the injury is still unknown and since the Patriots’ organization has not (and probably will not) say much about it his status for Week 4 will remain a mystery until game day. Hopefully we’ll find out more before then.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, OAK - Concussion and Neck Strain

Raiders’ WR Darrius Heyward-Bey will likely be out for one week and possibly longer after sustaining a serious concussion during Sunday’s game against the Steelers. DHB was knocked unconscious when he took a helmet to the chin while trying to make a catch in the end zone during the fourth quarter. He laid motionless on the ground for several minutes but thankfully he regained consciousness and began to move his extremities. He was secured to a spine board as a precaution and while being carted off the field he gave the crowd a thumbs-up. He was taken to a local hospital where he evaluated and monitored. According to reports not only was his diagnosed with a concussion, but he also suffered a minor neck strain. He has since been released from the hospital and according to team officials he is currently at home resting. But they don’t expect him to play this upcoming week and they aren’t sure when he will be ready to return.

Julio Jones, ATL - Hand Contusion and Laceration.

Falcons’ WR Julio Jones missed over a quarter of play on Sunday after hurting his right hand on the team’s opening possession. But the injuries he suffered weren’t serious and he was able to return and finish the game. Jones left the game after banging his hand in the first quarter and according to reports not only did he suffer a laceration but his hand immediately began to swell and he was taken back to he locker room where he was examined and treated. X-rays were reportedly negative and while it is unclear if the laceration required stitches Jones was able to return to the field midway through the second quarter. His injuries aren’t considered serious and team officials expect him to practice this week and play in their Week 4 game.

TIGHT ENDS

Jared Cook, TEN - Minor AC Joint Sprain

Titans’ TE Jared Cook left Sunday’s game against the Lions with an apparent AC joint sprain, but fortunately the injury is not serious and head coach Mike Munchak is optimistic about Cook’s chances of playing in Week 4. Cook, who was hurt late in the first half, was examined at halftime and there was concern that the injury might have been serious since it involved his acromioclavicular joint. But an MRI on Monday revealed limited damage and Munchak told reporters that he “still feels good” about Cook playing in their next game. We’ll know more about his status after the team’s practice on Wednesday.

Jacob Tamme, DEN - Strained Groin

Broncos’ TE Jacob Tamme was forced out of Sunday’s game with what the team is calling a groin injury but he was able to return and finish the game. Tamme appeared to roll his ankle in the fourth quarter and he was helped off the field. But he was examined and cleared by the medical staff and he returned to the field to finish the game. Despite what it looked like, Broncos’ officials are calling the injury a groin strain and he will probably miss some practice time this week while he recovers. But since he was able to return the injury, no matter what it is, can’t be too serious. Expect him to play in Week 4.